Fuel conserving device for internal-combustion motors



Aug. 1, H w SIMPSON 1 y FUEL CONSERVING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTIONMOTORS- 2 Sheets-sheaf 1 Filed Nov. 19, 1942 l l v 20 S/NPjoM irroeA f/1 H.;w; SI'MPSON 2,354,71

FUEL CONSERVING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS Filed Nov 19, 19422 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 1, 1944 FUEL CONSERVING DEVICE FORINTERNAL- COMIBUSTION MOTORS Harold Wilford Simpson, Collinsville, 111.,assignor of one-half to Harold Miles Seago, Collins-- ville, Ill.

Application November 19, 1942, Serial No. 466,168 1 cla m. (01. 137-153)The object of my invention is to make a fuel conserving device forinternal combustion motors, particularly those used to propelautomobiles. By the use of my device, the gasoline consumption in theoperation of an automobile may be reduced as much as fifty (50%) percent. Where the gasoline consumption in the conventional automobile is23 miles per gallon, tests have shown that with my device attached themileage per gallon is increased to 37 miles per gallon over the sameroad under the same conditions of load,

etcetera.

In the conventional automobile, when operating properly, all thecylinders are functioning whenever the motor runs, irrespective of thedifference in power necessary, depending on the road traversed. All thecylinders are functioning when the car is moving up a steep hill, aswell as when the car is moving on level ground, or down a steep hill.All the cylinders are functioning when the car is moving on smoothconcrete or on thick, loose gravel. This means a fuel consumption in allthe cylinders practically all the time when the motor is running,whether this is necessary for power purposes or smoothness in operationor not. 'At certain times, under favorable driving conditions, morepower is developed than is necessary and than is used. This is the casewhen the car is moving on a smooth level pavement, when the car istravelling at the ordinary cruising speed. In starting the automobile, amaximum of power must be developed by the motor; when moving over arough road or up a steep hill, or with a big load, the maximum powermust also be developed.

A further object of my invention is to automatically cut cylinders inand out of operation and to reduce the force necessary to move thepistons in the inoperative cylinders to a minimum. That is to say thatthe inoperative cylinders as far as power production is concerned, willnot act as a load on or back pressure against the power produced by thepower operating cylinders, and that cutting out some cylinders from thepower production will not appreciably disturb the smooth operation ofthe other cylinders or of the crank shaft, that is not disturb thesmoothness of its torque, and that no fuel will be delivered to thenon-power producing cylinders while they are acting as such.

More specifically my device is an attachment to the motor between thecarburetor and the intage manifold. The device is operated by the vacuumproduced by the cylinders in the intake manifold and finds particularapplication with eight, twelve or sixteen cylinder motors. The Ford V-8is ideally suited for my device. The device is used with the dual downdraft type carburetor. The device operates in such manner that whenmaximum power is required from the motor, the operation of thecarburetor is unaf- Qst. Louis, Missouri.

fected, that is, it operates in the conventional manner. My device onlyaffects the operation of the carburetor when power from only half of thecylinders is required. Each half of the dual down draft carburetorfunctions with half of the number of cylinders of the motor, and, theother half of the carburetor functions with the other half of the numberof cylinders. In a V-8 engine, the cylinders functioning with each halfof the carburetor are so arranged that the evenness of the torque on thecrank shaft is not disturbed. When it is desired, by the use of mydevice, one-half of the carburetor is made nonfunctioning and therebyhalf of-the number of cylinders are made non-functioning as far as theproduction of power by them is concerned. In a Ford V-8 when it isdesired, four of the cylinders are made inoperative automatically by mydevice, when the load on the motor is decreased. Furthermore, when mydevice is in operation the pistons and spark plugs in the non-powerproducing cylinders will continue to move and func tion in theconventional manner, but only air will be delivered tothe cylindersinstead of an explosive mixture of air and gas. There will therefore beno explosions in the non-power producing cylinders while they are madeinactive by my device.

My device is actuated by the pull'of the vacuum produced by the movementof the pistons in the cylinders. My device does not operate until thevacuum in the intake manifold reaches about eight ounces. As the speedof the motor increases, or the load increases, or both, the manifoldpressure builds up to about 22 ounces. My device is in operationtherefore between eight andtwenty-two ounces or more of pressure in theintake manifold and as previously stated, is inoperative below eightounces. When my device is in operation, in order to prevent thenon-firing cylinders from creating a back pressure against which thefiring cylinders would be compelled to pump, air must be deliveredto thenonnring cylinders. My device accomplishes this.

A slide in my device is so positioned that it may he slid over the fiueon one side of the carburetor. Either flue of the carburetor may beemployed. By means of a coil spring, the slide is held in its normalposition, that is in the position in which it does not cover a flue ofthe carburetor. The slide is moved over the carburetor flue against theresistance of the spring, by means of the changing vacuum in the intakemanifold. The vacuum pull varies with the distance about sea level. Theeight and twenty-two ounces critical pressures indicated are those atThese vacuum intensities would be different in Denver, Colorado, orMiami, Florida. These variations are compensated for by the strength andcompression of the coil spring which maintains the slide of my. devicein the normal open position. By means. of a set screw in contact withsaid coil spring, to be herein described, the location of the motor inone 10- calit or another may be compensated for. My device may becheaply made of few and simple parts that lend themselves readily tomultiple production. It can be made of such size that it may be attachedto the automobile motor between the intake manifold and the bottom ofthe carburetor in a few minutes by removing several bolts and replacingthem with a like num ber of others when my device has been placed inposition.

With these and other objects in view, my invention has relation tocertain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts thatwill be hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claim-andillustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the upper end of the intake manifold of aninternal combustion motor, together with the lower portion of a dualdown draft carburetor with my device secured between them.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of my device on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional elevation on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental sectional elevation on the line 6-6 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional plan view of my device taken on the line'I'! of Fig. 1, showing the carburetor port unobstructed or open.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7 showing the carburetor portobstructed Or closed.

Fig. 10 is a fragmental sectional elevation on the line II0 of Fig. 9,showing the slide used in my device in the closed position obstructingthe carburetor flue and showing the structure that permits the passageof air alone to the cylinders that are not firing when the motor'is inoperation.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line II--II of Fig.1, showing the crosssectional shape 'of a portion of the slide used inmy device.

take manifold of an internal combustion motor;

numeral I4 designates the lower portion of a dual down draft carburetorforming a part of the same internal combustion motor. These two elementsare of conventional size, structure and material. Numeral I designatesmy structure generally. By means of bolts or lag screws I6, my device I5is secured to both the upper end of the intake manifold I3 and the lowerportion I4 of a dual down draft carburetor. Numerals I'I designate boltsor lag screws that secure the lower portion of the carburetor to theupper portion I8. Only a fragment of the upper portion of the carburetoris shown as it is of conventional structure. The

lower portion of the carburetor I4 comprises a frame I9 havingprojections 26, in which are formed holes 2I through which the bolts I6pass. The bolts I6 also pass through holes 22 in my device I5 and are inthreaded engagement at their lower ends in tapped holes 23 formed in theframe of the upper end of the intake manifold. The bolts I6 are of suchlength that when they are screwed down tight, their heads 24 will engagethe projections 2|] thereby holding the carburetor frame I9, my deviceI5, and the upper end I3 of the intake manifold securely together inoperative position.

Numeral 26 designates one flue formed in the carburetor frame I9 andnumeral 21 designates a second similar flue formed therein. The flues 26and 21 pass entirely through the carburetor frame vertically from itslower to its upper face. Numerals 28 and 29 designate two vertical fluespassing through my device I5 from its upper to its lower face. The flue29 of my device I5 is in registration with the flue 26 in the lowerportion I4 of the carburetor. The flue 28 of my device is inregistration with the flue 21 in the lower portion I I of thecarburetor.

Numeral 36 designates a shaft extending through the flues 26 and beyondthe carburetor frame I9. To the free ends of the shaft 30 are securedthe arms 3 I. By a movement of the arms 3| rotatively, the shaft 30 maybe rotated. Numeral 32 designates a butterfly valve secured to the shaft30 diametrically in the flue 26. Numeral 33 designates a butterfly valvesecured to the shaft 30 in the flue 21. By a rotation of the arms 3|,therefore, the butterfly valves 32 and 33 may be rotated.

The vacuum line extends from the cylinders (not shown) to and throughthe intake manifold, to its upper end I3, through the flues 28 and 29 ofmy device I5, through the flues 26 and 21 in the lower portion of thecarburetor I4, to the upper portion of the carburetor. The vacuum linemay be established or broken by opening or closing the butterfly valves32 and 33, by rota tion of arms 3I on the shaft 30. This movement isimparted by the accelerator in an automobile. The accelerator providesmeans for opening the butterfly valves 32 and 33 from an open to aclosed or any intermediate position. The speed of the car is controlledby the butterfly valves 32 and 33 in the conventional manner. Aselective separate control of each butterfly valve independently of theother is not possible by the structure thus far described. My device inno way changes the structure or operation of the devices thus fardescribed. It does provide means for automatically blocking or openingone of the flues 26 or 21 responsive to the vacuum that is produced bythe motor cylinders (not shown) in the intake manifold.

My devic I5 may be made of wood or metal or other similar material.

It consists of a rectangular blockin which is formed a hollow cylinder35, circular section which extends to the face 36 to the'end '31.Numeral 38 designates a slot or slide extending from the face 39 to theface of the block I0; The'hollow cylinder 35 is connected to the slot 38by means of the slot 4!. The slot 38 passes through one of the flues 28or 23 of my 'device. Either one of the flues 28 or 29, but notboth, willsuffice. Numeral 42 designates a slide having. the rectangular portion43 formed on one end and the smaller rectangular portion l' l formedinterval therewith at the other end. Numeral 45 designates a plungerdetachably secured to the smaller rectangular portion 44. The outer endof the rectangular portion 43 has the channel 46 formed in its lowerface. The plunger 45 is countersunk on its outer end to form the cup 41.The rectangular portion 43 is in sliding engagement in the slot 38. Theplunger 45 is in sliding engagement in the hollow cylinder 35. By alongitudinal sliding of the plunger 45 in the hollow cylinder 35 therectangular portion 43 is slid in the slot 38. The rectangular portion43 is practically the same width as the diameter of the flue 29. Numeral48 designates a coiled spring positioned in the cup 41 in the hollowcylinder 35. Numeral 49 designates a circular disk of the same diameteras the coiled spring 48. Numeral 50 designates a countersunk plug inthreaded engagement in the rectangular block 34 at the open end of thehollow cylinder 35. Numeral designates a set screw in threadedengagement in the countersunk plug 59. The countersunk portion of thecountersunk plug 50 is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter ofthe circular disk 49. The circular disk 49 is positioned in thecountersunk portion of the plug 59 in contact with the outer or free endof the coiled spring 48 and in contact with the inner end of the setscrew 5|. In operation, when the slide 42 is moved to the left, thecoiled spring 48 is compressed as shown in Fig. 9. When the moving forceof the slide 42 to the left is withdrawn, the compressed coiled springpushes the plunger 45 and the slide 42 to the right to the positionshown in Fig. 8. In the slide 42 is formed a hole 52 of substantiallythe same size as the cross-sectional area of the flue 29. When the slide42 is in the extreme position to the right, as shown in Fig. 8, the hole52 is in registration with the flue 29 so that fluid communication isestablished through the flue 26. In this position, the coiled spring isextended. In this position, the channel 46 is inoperative as seen inFig. 8. When the slide 42 is moved to the, position shown in Fig. 9, thehole 52 becomes inoperative and the passage through the flue 29 isblocked. Numeral 53 designates a passage through the wall of the block34 leading from atmosphere to the flue 29 in the path of the movement ofthe slide 42. The slide 42 is shown in this passage in Fig. 8 and movedsubstantially out of it, in Fig. 10. In the position shown in Fig. 8,the passage of air from atmosphere to the flue 29 is prevented. In theposition shown in Fig. 10, the passage of air from atmosphere throughthe passage 53 and the channel 46 is permitted through the flue 29beneath the slide 42. Numeral 54 designates a gauze plate secured to theblock 34 over the outer end of the passage 53, The purpose of this plateis to silence the chatter of the moving slide 42. Numeral 55 designatesa passage in the block 34 connecting the hollow cylinder 35 to the sideof the block 34. Numeral 56 designates a threaded plug positioned in theouter end of the passage 55. Numeral 51 designates a passage connectingthe flue 28 to the outside of the block 34 at right angles to thepassage55 and in fluid communication therewith. Numeral 58 designates aplug selectively secured in the open end of the passage 51. By thesemeans fluid communication is es tablished between the hollow cylinder 35and the flue 29. Letthe eight cylinders be designated on Fig. 12 asfollows: 59 to 66 both inclusive. There are two rows of four cylinderseach. Cylinders 6!! to 66, both inclusive, are affected by my device andcylinders 59 to 65, both inclusive, are affected by my device. In eachrow, therefore, there are two cylinders that are affected and twocylinders that are not aifected. The cylinders and their firing orderare so arranged as to give the greatest possible unity of torque duringthe operation of the motor. My device does not disturb this unity oftorque because two of the cylinders affected by my device are in eachrow of cylinders andbecause when not firingthe pistons and valves gothrough all the operations that they ever do, except firing. This ismade possible by the admission of air into the non-exploding cylindersby my device. The operation of my device is as follows. When the motoris not running, the slide 42 will be in the position shown in Figs. 7and 8. When the motor is starting and runs for a short time, a vacuumwill be built up in the fiues 28 and 29. This vacuum will build up avacuum in the hollow cylinder 35. When this vacuum becomes suflicientthe plunger 45 will be pulled to the left from the position shown inFigs. 7 and 8 to that shown in Fig. 9, against the compression of thecoiled spring 48. By this procedure the flue 29 will be blocked as faras passage of an explosive mixture is concerned from the carburetor tothe cylinders, that is, four cyllnders will not consume any fuel and notproduce any power. Atmospheric air will be provided to these fournon-power producing cylinders through the passage 53 and the channel 46.The vacuum required to actuate the slide 42 depends on the power of thecoiled spring and the degree that it is compressed when in the positionsshown in Figs. '1 and 8. The latter is regulated by the adjustment ofthe set screw 5!. The same four cylinders will also be affected by mydevice and the same flue of the carburetor will always be aff ected bymy device.

Simply stated, when the automobile is started, all eight cylinders willoperate; as the manifold pressure decreases four cylinders will be cutoil, but when the motor begins to labor heavily and the pressureincreases, all eight cylinders will function again until the load isremoved from the engine. This load will be varied depending upon thegrade and composition of the load.

What I claim and mean to secure by Letters Patent is:

A valve device comprising a block having a cylindrical bore therein, aslot in said block in communication withthe exterior thereof, a passagethrough the block transverse of the slot, a conduit in the blockcommunicating with one end of the cylindrical bore, a plate valveslidingly mounted in the slot and having a port therethrough forcontrolling flow through said passage and having a channel in one endthereof for controlling flow between the block passage and the exteriorof said block, a fluid pressure actuated plunger slidingly mounted inthe cylindrical bore and operatively connected to said plate valve, aspring having one end secured in said plunger and its other end engagedby a movable disc, a countersunk plug closing the said one end of thecylindrical bore for receiving said disc, a set screw extending throughsaid plug and engaging said disc, the port in said plate valveregistering with said transverse passage and closing said valve platechannel when the spring is in its normal expanded position and saidplate valve closing said block passage and opening said plate channelwhen the spring is in its compressed position.

HAROLD WILFORD SIMPSON.

